Cabrillo Music Theatre Announces 'Coast to Coast' Fundraising Events to keep Doors Open

Cabrillo Music Theatre is thrilled to announce that as of Friday, June 27 it had passed the $100,000 mark (from over 400 donors!) towards its goal of raising $250,000 to keep its doors open and launching its 2014-2015 season, featuring MARY POPPINS, MEMPHIS, OKLAHOMA and COMPANY. With still six weeks to go in its fund-raising efforts, Cabrillo "Family" members have initiated two fund-raising events "Coast-To-Coast" with a special benefit concert at the Triad Theatre in New York City on Monday, August 4 and a "CabrilloDance-A-Thon" scheduled on Friday, August 1-2 in Thousand Oaks!

Comments Cabrillo Music Theatre's Artistic Director Lewis Wilkenfeld, "I'm moved by the response so far! It's great to reach $100,000, but to do it with well over 400 donors is really remarkable. Too many times, companies like ours get dependent on a few large donors, and the message it sends the community is that only large donations matter. But we've reached this point with virtually no large donations, but, rather, a nation-wide expression of support. The New York fundraiser caught me completely by surprise. Ashley Moniz and Steven Ferezy, two Cabrillo alumni, cooked this up out of a desire to help and a frustration that they were far from Thousand Oaks. They've reached out to other former Cabrillo performers, and it sounds like they have quite a lineup!

The numbers are good, but it's the stories I love the most: Two of our Kabrillo Kids, Roxanne Chevalier and Jade McGlynn, are going door-to-door in their neighborhood, singing songs and handing out information - and they've raised over $1,700 so far! Amy Rutberg, who starred in one Cabrillo show as a teenager 16 years ago, was quick to write. She's had a great career in theatre and television, and she now lives permanently in New York. She and her husband are expecting their first child, but she made a donation to Cabrillo. Here's someone who won't benefit fromCabrillo's existence anytime in the future, but, because we played a role in making her career happen, she's giving back! I love that. I also love the kids and teachers at Newbury Park High School, who designed and sold t-shirts, and gave the proceeds to Cabrillo. And how about the two Kabrillo Kids who sold lemonade two weekends ago and presented us with $30. Don't you think that donation means as much to us as any? There's over four hundred stories like that.

And now, businesses are getting into the act! We recently partnered with our neighbors at the Oaks Mall on a family singalong event, and they surprised us by offering to donate all of the proceeds to Cabrillo! With all this, and with fundraising events popping up across the country, clearly we're just getting started!"

MORE ABOUT THE DANCE MARATHON
The First annual "Cabrillo Dance Marathon" will be held for a continuous 24 hour period from 6:00pm Friday, August 1st through 6:00pm Saturday, August 2nd at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts. 403 W. Hillcrest Drive in Thousand Oaks.

There is no age limit nor dance training/ability needed to participate in this event.

"Dancers" will need to stay on their feet moving/dancing continuously for as long as they can. Friends, family, and supporters will donate "pledges" on the Cabrillo website per hour of dancing. Participants may start dancing at any time of the 24-hour period to log continuous dancing. Dancers can log 1 hour or all 24, and pledges can be in the form of a flat fee or a "per hour" donation. For dancers or donors who would like to participate, please visitCMTdancemarathon@dojiggy.com and register (it's free!). Set up a webpage for yourself (it's easy!). Show up onAugust 1 with your dancing shoes on and dance the night away to help keep Cabrillo's doors open for another season of Broadway quality shows!

MORE ABOUT "CABRILLO AT THE TRIAD IN NYC"
On Monday, August 4 at the Triad Theatre in New York City, former Cabrillo cast members and local Broadway stars will be teaming together for a One Night Only benefit concert to support Cabrillo. Cabrillo "Alumni" currently scheduled to perform include: Lesli Margherita (Broadway - Matilda; Cabrillo - West Side Story); Derek Klena(Broadway - Wicked; Cabrillo - Cinderella), Cassie Silva (Broadway - Rock of Ages; Cabrillo - 42Nd Street); Melissa Mitchell (Broadway - Les Miserables; Cabrillo - Cinderella); Leslie Spencer (Off-Broadway - The Marvelous Wonderettes; Cabrillo - Smokey's Joe Café) and so many more!

CABRILLO MUSIC THEATRE's 2014-2015 Season will open with MEMPHIS (November 14-23, 2014), then "travel" to England with MARY POPPINS (April 17-26, 2015), and make a stop in OKLAHOMA! (July 17-26, 2015). Next season also includes a "bonus" show in the Civic Arts Plaza's Scherr Forum Theatre, COMPANY (January 23-February 8, 2015). Single show and Season Tickets are available.
And don't forget BYE BYE BIRDIE, Cabrillo's 20th Anniversary Season finale, July 18th through the 27th, with an added full performance on Wednesday, July 23rd, 11AM. Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.com or at the Civic Arts Plaza Box office, or at www.cabrillomusictheatre.com.

Cabrillo Music Theatre is the Ovation Award-winning Resident Musical Theatre Production Company of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, and a non-profit theatre organization. For over three decades, Cabrillo has been enriching the cultural life of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties and the surrounding areas by providing an extraordinary performing arts experience through live, Broadway-quality productions of musical theatre. It is Cabrillo's mission to provide the highest quality musical experience, to foster educational opportunities, and to promote cultural and artistic enrichment to enhance the quality of life in Southern California. To this end, Cabrillo Music Theatre goes "Beyond the Footlights" with programs to give back to the community, and to provide enhanced theatre experiences for all audiences. Since the inception of "Beyond the Footlights," over 39,000 underserved children, in-need seniors, and active military have enjoyed Cabrillo Music Theatre's productions at no charge. In addition, Cabrillo provides ASL signed performances of every production; talkbacks with cast and staff; and Cabrillo's Animal Rescue program, which raises funds and awareness for homeless and abused dogs and cats.

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